Osborne Cardinals
Osborne High School wanted to create an updated sports logo to avoid a potential legal problem. The school had never created a unique mascot logo; instead, it used images found on the Internet. The school also wanted to honor its rich history and tradition, as it is the oldest high school in Cobb County, GA, with its first school year beginning in 1926.
The Problem
The previous sports logo was pieced together from various logos and presented the school with a potential legal problem. In addition, the school was using the logo throughout the campus, and plans to expand the school were underway.
The Solution
To protect against the school’s lack of a unique cardinal sports logo, I set out to solve the problem of creating something new that reflected the school’s rich history and provided legal protection.
Identity Exploration
In our initial conversations, there were several design cues the school wanted to see achieved. Each concept I developed sought to meet the school’s desired look while simultaneously being unique and proprietary.
The list given by the school was:
- Maintain a side profile or a 3/4 profile
- NOT forward-facing
- Needs to be aggressive without being menacing
- Style should be between abstract and literal
Identity:After
The final solution provided Osborne with a unique school mascot they can be proud of. The Cardinal mark is a registered mark with the USPTO.
Ultimately, I created a mascot that would allow Osborne to continue to move forward as they grow and evolve:
- I created a custom typeface that the school can use internally to connect with the updated athletic identity.
- I helped the school transition to a more modern version of its colors. This change kept the school’s legacy while appealing to the newer students.
- I developed a system of “sub-brands” for individual athletic programs, which helps keep a unified brand architecture while allowing each team to showcase its unique personality.
